Kentucky driving lesson · General Driving Maneuvers
Passing safely, cyclists & being passed
A 3-minute lesson from the Kentucky course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Knowing when not to pass matters as much as knowing how. Hills, curves, intersections and busy areas hide hazards. And when you overtake a bicycle or electric low-speed scooter, Kentucky law sets a minimum gap.
Know the rule
Whenever a hill or curve blocks your view, assume an oncoming vehicle is just out of sight. Don't start a pass approaching a hill or curve.
Before passing, look for anything that could push traffic into your lane or someone pulling out of a drive. Never pull out unless you have room to return; don't count on passing several vehicles at once or on others making room.
On a narrow two-lane road with a no-passing zone, you come up behind a cyclist. You may cross the center line to pass—but only if the oncoming lane is clear far enough to pass safely. Leave at least 3 feet.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
When overtaking a bicyclist on a road with only one lane in your direction, you must keep at least how much space between your vehicle and the bicyclist?
10 feet
6 feet
3 feet
1 foot
Answer: 3 feet
You must keep at least three feet between your vehicle and a bicyclist or low-speed scooter when passing.